Winter Crystals

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During the cold winter months, you may often see ice crystals on the trees, windows, and sidewalks. Try creating your own winter crystal scene using a simple Epsom salt solution.

What you Need:

Epsom salts
bowl
salt or sugar (optional)
paint brush
dark construction paper
cup
spoon
magnifying lens

What to Do:

  1. Prepare a saturated solution of Epsom Salt in hot water. Dissolve as much Epsom Salt crystals as possible in hot water (about 1/2 gallon of crystals in 1 gallon of water).
  2. Using this solution, paint a picture onto black paper. Be generous with the solution the more solution on the paper, the more crystals will appear!
  3. Allow the paper to dry and notice the crystals that form.
  4. Observe the crystals up close with a magnifying lens. What shapes are they?
  5. Make solutions with other crystals, as sugar or salt. Paint pictures and observe those crystals that form. Compare all the different crystal pictures. How are they alike or different?